Whether you’re toeing the start line of your first triathlon or chasing a PR at your next Ironman, I’m here to help you get there. From beginner runners to seasoned endurance athletes, I work with athletes all levels who are ready to perform better, feel stronger, and fuel smarter. As both a certified triathlon coach and registered nutritionist based in Toronto, I bring a rare combination of training and nutrition expertise — so every part of your plan works together, not in isolation.
You don’t need to figure it out alone. Book a consultation and let’s build something that works for you.
About the Founder & Head Coach
My Story
It started with a challenge. In 2003, a friend dared me to train for a half marathon. At the time, running 5km felt like a lot — but I’ve never backed down from a good challenge. That decision shaped the next 23 years of my life, both personally and professionally.
Like many people, sport and nutrition had slipped as I moved into adulthood. Making intentional changes to how I ate and moved allowed me to reconnect with my health and reclaim my love for sport. That personal experience fundamentally shapes how I coach today: meaningful change is possible at any stage.
In 2004 I went back to school to study holistic nutrition. In 2006, while finishing my studies, I suffered two separate herniated discs — an experience that forced me to get clear on what mattered most: health, movement, resilience, and passion. That same year I took a leap and started HEAL™.
After completing my first marathon in 2007, I did my first Try-a-Tri at Guelph Lake and was immediately hooked. I pursued my NCCP Triathlon certification and am now one of approximately 16 fully certified community triathlon coaches in Ontario.
Rooted in the Toronto Triathlon Community
My connection to this sport goes beyond coaching. I spent four years as a board member of the Toronto Triathlon Club, followed by four years as its first ever Executive Director — helping grow the club, support athletes of all levels, and strengthen the sport at a grassroots level.
I believe endurance athletes don’t succeed in isolation. Training, nutrition, sleep, recovery, and community all play a role — and surrounding yourself with like-minded people makes even the scariest goals feel manageable.
I Practice What I Preach
I don’t just coach endurance sport — I live it. Highlights from my own race journey include qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon three times, competing in four Triathlon Team Canada Age Group World Championship events, and racing at two Ironman 70.3 World Championships. These experiences are exactly why I love helping athletes chase goals they once thought were impossible.
See my full race record below ↓
2026 marks HEAL’s 20th anniversary. Two decades of helping Toronto athletes train smarter, fuel better, and discover what they’re truly capable of. I’m more energized than ever.
More About Tara
- Honours BA McMaster University- Anthropology, minor Biology
- RNCP/ROHP – Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner / Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner provided by IONC
- CNP- Certified Nutritional Consultant by Institute of Holistic Nutrition
- PTS- Can Fit Pro – Personal Trainer Specialist
- NCCP- Certified Triathlon Comp Intro Coach
- NCCP- Trained Multi Sport Comp-Intro Part A
- NCCP- Trained Cycling Coach: Community Initiation, Intro to Comp (Ready to Race)
- Training Peaks Certified Coach- Level 2
- PN-Precision Nutrition Certified- Level 2 Coach
- Poliquin BioSignature – Level 1 Practitioner
- TRX Functional Training Course- Level 2
- IONC – International Organization of Nutritional Consultants
- PINES – Professionals in Nutrition for Exercise and Sport
- COA – Coaches Association of Ontario
- Ask A Nutritionist columnist for Running Room Magazine since 2006
- Articles for: Breathe Magazine, Triathlon Canada Magazine, Cycling Canada Magazine, CanFitPro newsletters, That’sFit.ca, FitnessRepublic.com
- Subject area expert in the “The Athletic Mom-to-be”, by Dr Carol-Ann Weiss & Jennifer Faraone
- Subject area expert in “Get Real” by Patricia Lovett-Reid
- Speaker/Presenter at CanFitPro conference – Toronto
- Speaker at HSBC triathlon Series Awards event
- Speaker for Running Room Clinics, Team in Training, Power Soccer, Longboat Runners, Outer Harbour Dragon Boat Club, University of Toronto, AIM Health group, CMHC, CPFG, Holy-Name School, Leber-Rubes, Concert Properties and more
- Nutrition provider & Sponsor for the Toronto Triathlon Club
Tara’s Race Accolades since 2002:
- Numerous 5k, 10k distance races
- Completed over 40 half marathons, and over 10 marathons
- 14 Half-Distance Triathlon’s – Muskoka x 2, Mooseman, Syracuse, Mt Tremblant X 2, Rose City Triathlon, Lake Placid, Maine, Dun Laogharie, Musselman, St George 70.3 WC, Jones Beach, & Taupo NZ 70.3 WC
- One Ironman- Ironman Canada 2012
- Provincial titles: Cobourg Olympic 2009, Toronto Triathlon Festival 2012
- Age group champion – MultiSport Canada 2011
- Team Canada ITU teams- Budapest 2010, London 2013, Chicago 2015, Montreal 2022
Personal race records include:
- 5k –20:56 (Self directed, Toronto 2021)
- 10k – 43:34 (Sporting Life, 2017)
- Half-marathon – 1:39:57 (Scotia Toronto Waterfront Half 2018)
- 30k – 2:55:25 (Around the Bay, 2008)
- Marathon – 3:38:11 (Hamilton, 2019), 3:38:44 (Boston 2023)
- Olympic Distance Tri -2:25:36 (CAMTRI Ottawa Nationals, 2017)
- Half Ironman – 5:21 (Musselman, 2022)
- Ironman – 12:16:55 (Ironman Canada, 2012)
